Electrode holder



kwmmll-mmww" D. P. VARNER ELECTRODE HOLDER Filed April 14, 1937 INVENTOR.

D444 P Kvk/rs1? ATTORNEY.

Oct. 3, 1939.

Patented Oct. 3, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in electrode holders used in the process of electric arc welding.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrode holder of this class which will be simple in structure, economical of manufacture, durable, light, compact, and highly efflcient in use.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an electrode'holder of this class in which the amount of metal used in the holder will be reduced to a minimum.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an electrode holder in which the heat while in l5 use, will be reduced to a minimum.

Another object of this invention is the provision of an electrode holder of sufficient capacity as to carry any current that can be safely used by the operator.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an electrode holder having a definite positive grip on the electrode, regardless of the angle to which it may be turned.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter vdescribed and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to theaccompanying 4drawing which forms 30. part of the specification and in which,

. Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the invention with parts broken away and parts shown in section.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line,2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig., 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

The handle comprises a tubular body 9 formed from suitable insulating material and having a number of holes or perforations III formed there- 45 in to facilitate the air venting of this handle and assure'the maintaining of the same in a cool condition while in use.

The forward end of the tubular body 9 is cut away at one side as at I I and mounted on the in- 50 ner surface of the opposite side is a metallic plate I2 which is upwardly oiset or angularly turned as at I3 and which is provided with the circular portion I4 which extends beyond the body 9. Secured tothe portion I3 by the screw I5 is a plate I6 of insulating material having the annular body I'I which underlies and is in contact with the under surface of the circular body I4. This annular portion II is of slightly larger diameter than the body I4, so as to project beyond the periphery thereof. A metallic shield I8 is seg cured to the body 9 adjacent the cut-away portion thereof by means of the bolt I9. This shield I8 terminates in a conical ring 20 which underlies the insulating annular member I1. The electric cable 2| is connected to the plate I2 by means 10 of the bolt 22 and the clamping bar 23 which is formed from metal.

Mounted on the tubular part 9 at the rear of the cut-away portion Ii by means of the screws 24, is a metallic saddle 25 which is proll vided with the upwardly angularly turned tongue 26 which is curled around the pivot pin 21 which projects through the spaced lugs 28 of the locking jaw 29. Secured centrally to the saddle 25 by means of the screw 30 is a resilient tongue 3| which is curved around the tongue 26 and terminates with its free end in engagement with the member 29 so as to normally maintain this member rocked to maintain the movable jaw in clamping or locking position. The movable jaw comprises a block 32 of insulating material which is provided at its opposite sides with the dovetailed groove '33 in which engage the inturned edges 34 of the end of member 29, this member 29 being formed trough shaped. A recess 35 30 is cut in the upper face of the insulating block 32. A metallic clamping jaw embodying the spaced prongs 36 which project outwardly from a head 31 is provided. Extending from this head 31 is a stud 36 which projects through the block 35 32 and terminates in the recess 35 in which is positioned a washer 39 through which the stud projects and which is riveted on to the stud. A block 40 of insulating material is positioned above theY stud 38 or between its inner end and the body 29. This block is slideable into position and a spring keeper 4I has an angularly turned end 42 for engaging in the groove 43. formed in the inner end of the block 32 so that when the block 32 is in position it is held in fixed relation to the member 29,. These prongs 36 have a tapered outer surface and are adapted to enter the opening in the member I4. Consequently, when an electrode wire is placed between a pairl gf prongs 36 and the body 29 released for rocking in response to the pressure of the spring 3l the velectrode Wire will ride upwardly in the space 44 between'the prongs and the tips of the prongs will move into the opening 45 in the member I4, so as to securely press the electrode wire against the upper surface of the'member Il and establish the necessary electrical contact therewith.

The head 31 is rotatable relatively to the block 32, so that after the electrode has been engaged between prongs 36 the electrode may be turned to various angles relatively to the holder. and a secure clamping of the electrode wire in its various positions of rotation is assured.

With a holder constructed in this manner a minimum weight is present, the handle is maintained cool at all times, a secure grip is provided, and an economical structure of a durable nature is afforded.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction I do notv wish to limit myself to the precise details of structure shown but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus ldescribed my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent isi 1. An electric holder of the class described, comprising a tubular handle formed from insulating material and having a plurality of openings therein, saidhandle being cut away at one side extending inwardly from one end thereof; a plate secured to said handle. opposite the cui'l away portion adjacent said end; an inwardly offset outwardly projected annular portion on said plate to provide a stationary jaw; a rocker member rockably mounted on said handle adjacent the cut away portion; an insulating block mounted on said rocker member adjacent one end thereof; a prong bearing head carried by said block, the prongs thereof being projectible therefrom into the opening in said annular member for pressing an electrode positioned between said prongs into close engagement with said annular member; and resilient means for normally rocking said rockable member into position for maintaining said prongs projected into said opening.

2. An electrode holder of the class described, comprising a tubular handle having a plurality of openings formed therein and cut away at one side inwardly from one end; a metallic plate mounted on said end of said handle opposite the portion; a prong bearing head rotatably mounted on said rockable member adjacent one end thereof, the prongs on said head being projectible' into the opening formed in said annular member for pressing an electrode positioned between said prongs into close engagement with oneface of said annular portion; and resilient means for normally maintaining said rockable member rocked into position for maintaining said prongs normally projected into said opening.

3. An electrode holder of the class described, comprising a tubular handle having a plurality of openings formed therein and cut away at one side inwardly from one end; a -metallic plate mounted on said end of said handle opposite said cut-away portion; an offset and outwardly projected annularportion on said plate, to provide a stationary jaw; a rockable member rockably mounted on said handle adjacent said cutaway portion; a prong bearing head rotatably mounted on said rockable member adjacent one end thereof, the prongs on said head being projectible into the opening formed in said annular member for pressing an electrode positioned between said prongs into close engagement with one .face of said annular portion; resilient means for normally maintaining said rockable member rocked into position for maintaining said prongs normally projected into said opening; and means for connecting one end of a cable projected through said handle in engagement with said plate.

4. In an electrode holder of the class described a tubular handle cut away at one side inwardly from one end; a saddle mounted on said handle and spanning the cut-away portion adjacent the inner end thereof; a tongue projecting outwardly from said saddle and doubled upon itself toprovide a hook; 'a pivot pin projected through said hook; a rockable member rockably mounted on said pivot pin; a resilient member secured to v said saddle centrally thereof, and doubled upon itself and extending around said hook and engaging at its free end with said rockable member at one side of its pivot for normally maintaining said rockable member rocked in one direction.

5. In an electrode holder of the class described an insulating block having on its opposite sides a dove-tailed groove; a metallic clamping head rotatably mounted on said block; a carrying member having inturned edges at its opposite sides for engaging in said grooves, said block being slidable into position between said edges, and resilient means on said carrying member for engaging said block and resisting slideable movement of the same relatively to said carrying member.

DANA P. VARNER. 

